Leaders In Assists

Cnu's Basketball Teams Help Needy Families Enjoy Christmas

NEWPORT NEWS — Wrapping paper, scissors, boxes. these aren't usually the things Christopher Newport's basketball players handle around the Freeman Center. but last week they got quite a workout.

The men's and women's teams put together food and gifts for two Newport News families for Christmas. The school's athletic teams sponsor a seasonal Adopt-A-Family program for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

"It's a nice way to interact with the community," senior forward Jen Harrell said. "It's a nice thing to do with the team other than basketball. We look forward to it. It kind of makes you feel good, too, and in the Christmas spirit."

Roland Ross, coordinator of CNU's athletic outreach program and longtime men's basketball assistant coach, began increasing the teams' involvement four years ago. He is the go-between in getting donations coordinated with recipients.

The local Boys and Girls Clubs choose the families. Coaches and players then check with them to find out their needs. Details on ages of children, clothing sizes and food preferences are all taken into account.

"For this particular program, our kids have no squabble," Ross said. "They say that if they were needy at some point along the line, they'd want somebody to help them."

Framed photos of the past several years' worth of families with members of the athletic department are lined up on top of a cabinet in Ross' office. He takes obvious delight in serving as a conduit between one part of the community and another.

This Christmas, the men's and women's basketball teams each sponsored a family.

Donations of canned goods were collected during the football team's Community Day. Those were supplemented with gifts and additional fresh foods such as turkey and ham, bought with donations the teams put together.

"It's worthwhile; I was more than eager to help and do what I can for the community since they're giving to us," Hepner said. "There's plenty of time to help other people, you've just got to find it. I try to find the time to help people when I can because I know there's a lot less fortunate people than me."

Fall sports teams sponsor Thanksgiving families, while the spring teams take care of Easter. Ross said men's soccer coach Steve Shaw and his group have set the standard for gathering the most donations and being involved.

"All of the sports have been really, really good with it," he said. "From year to year within a team, it's helping build the team camaraderie in terms of giving back and team unity as far as playing that particular sport."

In the future, Ross hopes to have a food pantry going year-round so that CNU can make more bulk donations to organizations such as Meals on Wheels and local food banks.

Forward Amber Hallman said, "I think reaching out to the community and staying within it is a big part of anything, it's a big part of your life."

Jennifer L. Williams can be reached at 247-4644 or by e-mail at jwilliams@dailypress.com